Numbers suggest Alan Pardew is improving West Brom's attacking threat

Against Stoke they had 17 shots and 56 per cent possession, against Everton they had 17 shots and 53 per cent possession.

These numbers may not be immediately significant, but they are to a team who average 42.4 per cent possession this season and fewer than 10 shots per game.

And there's no denying Pardew is making an impact. In his six games in charge the Baggies have mustered up 79 shots at a rate of 13.17 shots per game.

In the 14 league games before he arrived, the managed 116 shots at 8.29 shots per game.

Now, statistics can be used to prove most things, and it’s worth remembering Albion only picked up one point over Christmas.

But anyone at The Hawthorns on Boxing Day witnessed one team completely control the game. Anyone at the Bet365 Stadium saw a second-half camped in Stoke’s half.

Chris Brunt’s return to the side has been one of the main catalysts for this change, but against Everton, Matt Phillips added another string to the bow.

The injury-prone winger is one of the only members of the squad with proven quality and pace. He is not afraid to run at defenders, and scares the opposition.

“I think you can see from the performance that we were really good and we created a lot of chances,” said Phillips.

“Sooner or later we’re going to score one, two or three and win the game.

“In recent weeks we have lifted our performances and we have to take the positives - this is another point.

“Everton are on a good run and we’ve put a halt to that. We’ve shown that we’re more than capable of getting ourselves out of the situation that we’re in.”

Phillips’s return from injury gives Pardew more ammunition going forward, but the Everton game wasn’t the first time the new boss had managed to get the team to the goal.

In his first game against Crystal Palace, the Baggies had 20 shots. Once again, they didn’t score.

In fact, the only Pardew match against a team from outside the top six Albion haven’t dominated was away at Swansea.

They have also won a hard-fought point at Liverpool and deserved one against Manchester United too. Albion had more shots than Jose Mourinho's team but lost 2-1.

Of course, points are far more important than potential, but Pardew promised to get this side on the front foot and creating more, and that is precisely what he has done.

Now he needs to be given a capable finisher in the January transfer window because, as the old adage goes, you can lead a horse to water, but you can’t make him drink.